Change of Name and Focus? APJCP to APJCCtextarticle2007engAsian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007http://journal.waocp.org/article_24580_d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e.pdfThe JICA Training Course, Community-based Cancer Prevention for the Asian and Pan-pacific Countries, Fiscal Year 2006 (Epidemiological Approach)textarticle2007engCommunicable diseases are still major causes of deaths in developing countries. Cancer incidence, however,increased 19% between 1990 and 2000, mainly in this same developing world (Stewart and Kleihaus, 2003), andmalignant neoplasms are now the second leading cause of mortality in these countries (WHO, 2003). Limitationsof medical facilities and equipment mean that prevention is indispensable for cancer control (Mikheev et al.,1994). However, human resources concerning cancer prevention are also limited, and encouragement of theirdevelopment should be taken as a first priority. To assist in this aim, the present training course was designed bythe Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan, and has beenannually conducted since 1999, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (Takezaki,2001; 2002; 2003; Wakai, 2004; 2006). The course targets doctors and public health workers who are responsiblefor community-based cancer prevention in developing countries to promote the introduction of comprehensiveprocedures, focusing mainly on primary prevention but also including screening for secondary prevention ofcancer.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007150154http://journal.waocp.org/article_24581_02162a6cb6a2d69d0abb40c5d79c548e.pdfTea and Cancer Chemoprevention: A Comprehensive Reviewtextarticle2007engDietary components that are capable of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells without affecting the growth ofnormal cells are receiving considerable attention in developing novel cancer-preventive approaches. Tea, madefrom young leaves and leaf buds of the tea plant, ‘Camellia sinensis’, and the world’s second most consumedbeverage, has received a great deal of attention both from the general public and the scientific communitybecause tea polyphenols are strong antioxidants, and tea preparations have inhibitory activity againsttumorigenesis. Besides this, the wide spread consumption of tea throughout the world evoked the interest of thescientific community in the possibility of its use in cancer prevention. There are three main types of tea, allcoming from the tea plant viz. black tea (fermented,) green tea (unfermented), or oolong tea (semi-fermented),classified based on the methods of brewing and processing. Inhibition of tumorigenesis by green or black teapreparations has been demonstrated in various animal models in different organs. Various epidemiologicalstudies substantiate the correlation between tea consumption and cancer prevention; however, they have notyielded clear conclusions pertaining to the protective effects of tea consumption against cancer development inhumans. Many mechanisms have been proposed for the inhibition of carcinogenesis by tea, including themodulation of signal transduction pathways (including growth factor-mediated, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)-dependent, and ubiquitin/proteasome degradation pathways ) that lead to the inhibition of cellproliferation and transformation; induction of apoptosis of preneoplastic and neoplastic cells, and inhibition oftumor invasion as well as angiogenesis. These mechanisms need to be evaluated, verified and corroborated inanimal models and humans in order to gain more understanding on the effects of tea consumption on humancancer. Because the causative factors are different for different populations, tea consumption may affectcarcinogenesis only in selected situations rather than having the general effect on all cancers. Although, on thebasis of many epidemiological observations and numerous laboratory studies, it can be concluded that teaconsumption is likely to have beneficial effects in reducing cancer risk in different populations, yet there is aneed to define the population that could benefit from tea consumption. After careful evaluation of additionalstudies, it may be possible to recommend consumption of tea polyphenols by humans. Although considerableaccumulating information provides a compelling body of evidence for the preventive potential of tea againstcancer, naturally occurring tea polyphenols have yet to be evaluated in clinical intervention in human trials.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007155166http://journal.waocp.org/article_24582_8e1e3d020698222dc81dd351b7b60297.pdfImpact of C-Reactive Protein on Disease Risk and Its Relation to Dietary Factors: Literature Reviewtextarticle2007engC-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the acute-phase proteins in inflammation and CRP serum concentrationsare therefore of interest. Data for high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) with a low detection limit of approximately0.04 mg/L have become available over the past decade and research has shown a link between high concentrationsof hs-CRP and obesity as well as smoking. Expanded adipose tissue is in fact known to secrete proinflammatorycytokines which enhance hepatic synthesis of CRP. Moderate alcohol consumption and high physical activityhave been associated with low levels of hs-CRP, but the evidence in these cases is not conclusive. It has beensuggested that hs-CRP is an independent marker of the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the predictive capacityremains controversial. However, many prospective studies have observed increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitusassociated with high concentrations of hs-CRP, independent of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors.On the other hand, no measurable increase in the risk associated with high levels of hs-CRP was observed withmultivariate adjustment in several studies. A number of authors have reported that high concentrations of hs-CRP are associated with increased risks of colorectal and other cancers, but the findings again are inconsistent.Diet and hs-CRP are also of increasing research interest. High intakes of carotenoids and vitamin C, but not ofvitamin E, seem to decrease the level of circulating hs-CRP. In addition, high consumption of vegetables andfruit are associated with lower levels of circulating hs-CRP, perhaps by exerting anti-inflammatory effects.Both mechanistic and epidemiologic studies regarding dietary factors and low-grade inflammation are necessaryto add to our knowledge of dietary influence on chronic disease development.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007167177http://journal.waocp.org/article_24583_988fb8a3e0a501d52566caa5c1a22ecc.pdfSecondhand Smoke in the Home and Pap Testing Among Vietnamese American Womentextarticle2007engThe purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of Vietnamese households with smokers and examinePapanicolau (Pap) testing among Vietnamese American women living in households with and without smokers.In 2002, we surveyed Vietnamese between 18 and 64 years of age from a population-based sample of randomlyselected households in Seattle, Washington zip codes known to have a high density of Vietnamese residents. Theresponse rate among eligible households was 82%, and our sample included 418 households. We used twomeasures of Pap testing: ever had a Pap test and had one in the last two years. Household smoking status wascategorized as current smoker in the house vs. no current smoker in the house. Overall, 47% of VietnameseAmerican women lived with a current smoker in the household, 73% had ever received a Pap test, and 63%received one in the last two years. Pap testing behavior varied only slightly by household smoking status, andthe findings were not statistically significant. With nearly half of Vietnamese women in our study currentlyliving with smokers, future studies should examine the relationship between secondhand smoke at home andother health behaviors in Vietnamese American households.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007178182http://journal.waocp.org/article_24584_624e683ee67208f06887303d53e70c3f.pdfCancer Pattern in Western Nepal : A Hospital Based Retrospective Studytextarticle2007engInformation on cancer patterns is an important basis for determining the priorities for cancer control indifferent countries worldwide. There is no reliable information about the incidence or pattern of cancer inNepal and hence an attempt was made to assess the situation based on hospital data which is the only source inthe western region of Nepal. Cancer cases diagnosed by all methods or treated in Manipal Teaching Hospital,affiliated to Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, during 1st January 2003 to 30th May 2005 wereused for the present study. A total of 957 cancer cases were identified with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Themedian age of male and female patients was 63 and 60 years, respectively. The proportion of microscopicallyconfirmed cases, both from primary and metastatic sites was 87.5% and tobacco-related cancers constituted48% of all cancers among males and 28% among females. For males the leading cancer sites were lung (22.2%),larynx (9.8%) and stomach (9%) and that for females was lung (20%), cervix (19.7%) and breast (7.8%). Amongmales, 33.1% of all cancers were in the respiratory system followed by digestive organ cancers (23.2%). Amongfemales, 28.4% cancers were related to the reproductive system, 22.8% to the respiratory system and 14.1% todigestive organs. The cancer pattern revealed by the present study provides valuable leads to cancer epidemiologyin Nepal, particularly in the western region, and provides useful information for health planning and futureresearch.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007183186http://journal.waocp.org/article_24585_aba8efc8172354fbc8e2fd7478a390c8.pdfCancer Registration in Basrah 2005: Preliminary Resultstextarticle2007engCancer is a disease which shows significant variation with time and across geographical entities. In Basrah,Iraq, despite the widespread impression that cancer is increasing, researchers are not yet able to draw clearboundaries as to the extent of cancer and its determinants. In this paper, we make a start in that direction; theaim was to measure as accurately as possible the incidence of cancer (all types) in Basrah, to assess age specificincidence rates and to map the cases across different areas of the governorate. For this purpose we compileddata on every accessible case of cancer. The cancer registry in Basrah was used as the prime source of data onnewly diagnosed cancer cases, supported by three other sources: the Cancer Registration Section at theDepartment of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah; the OncologyCentre at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital; and the Oncology Ward in Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital. Otherminor sources were also utilized. Information on cases from these sources was subjected to meticulous verificationregarding repetition, place of residence and other potential errors. The overall incidence rate was 74.3/100 000population with a higher rate for females (80.5/100 000) than for males (68.1/100 000). The results indicate clearincrease in registered cancer cases with increasing age. The lowest incidence rate was among females aged 5-14years (10.5/100 000) and the highest was among males aged 65 years and above (660.2/100 000). The resultsshow no major variation in the annual incidence rates of cancer in different areas of Basrah governorate. Thisfinding may suggest a common exposure to cancer risk factors. To reach sound conclusions about extent anddeterminants of cancer in Basrah, immense multi-spectrum efforts are now needed.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007187190http://journal.waocp.org/article_24586_98a708d50a5ff29444e0a9d024d4ec7a.pdfThe Role of Lifestyle Risk Factors on Mortality from Colorectal Cancer in Populations of the Asia Pacific Regiontextarticle2007engAlthough colorectal cancer is one of the leading malignancies worldwide, there are few data on aetiologicalrelationships from the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, a collaborative study was conducted involving over half amillion subjects from 33 cohort studies in the region. Age-adjusted death rates from colorectal cancer, over anaverage of 6.8 years follow-up, were 12 and 14 per 100,000 person-years among Asian women and men,respectively; corresponding values in Australasia were 31 and 41. Height was strongly associated with deathfrom colorectal cancer: an extra 5cm of height was associated with 10% (95% confidence interval, 3% - 18%)additional risk, after adjustment for other factors. Smoking increased risk by 43% (9% - 88%), although nosignificant dose-response relationship was discerned (p >0.05). Other significant (p <0.05) risk factors werebody mass index and lack of physical activity. There was no significant effect on colorectal cancer mortality foralcohol consumption, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose or diabetes, although the latter conferred anotable 26% additional risk. Height may be a biomarker for some currently unknown genetic, or environmental,risk factors that are related both to skeletal growth and mutanogenesis. Understanding such mechanisms couldprovide opportunities for novel preventive and therapeutic intervention.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007191198http://journal.waocp.org/article_24587_f5852f083e0c48583083eb8c4c02d711.pdfThe Impact of Modifiable Risk Factors on Mortality from Prostate Cancer in Populations of the Asia-Pacific Regiontextarticle2007engMortality from cancer of the prostate is increasing in the Asia-Pacific, when much of this region is undergoinga transition to a Western lifestyle. The role that lifestyle factors play in prostate cancer appears limited, butexisting data mainly are from the West. We conducted an individual participant data analysis of 24 cohortstudies involving 320,852 men (83% in Asia). Cox proportional hazard models were used to quantify associationsbetween risk factors and mortality from prostate cancer. There were 308 deaths from prostate cancer (14% inAsia) during 2.1 million person-years of follow-up. The age-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval;CI) for men with body mass index (BMI) 28 kg/m2 or more, compared with below 25, was 1.55 (1.12 - 2.16); nosuch significant relationship was found for height or waist circumference. The BMI result was unchanged afteradjustment for other variables, was consistent between Asia and Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) and did notdiffer with age. There was no significant relationship with diabetes, glucose or total cholesterol (p ≥ 0.18). Smoking,alone, showed different effects in the two regions, possibly due to the relative immaturity of the smoking epidemicin Asia. In ANZ, the multiple-adjusted hazard ratio for an extra 5 cigarettes per day was 1.12 (95%CI: 1.03 -1.22), whereas in Asia it was 0.77 (0.56 - 1.05). Body size is an apparently important determinant of prostatecancer in the Asia-Pacific. Evidence of an adverse effect of smoking is conclusive only in the predominantlyCaucasian parts of the region.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007199205http://journal.waocp.org/article_24588_b6b90f2d7c1c27e3748e011f6e008b1e.pdfHow Can the Overtreatment Rate of “See and Treat” Approach be Reduced in Women with High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions on Cervical Cytology?textarticle2007engThe aim of this study was to determine the incidence and predictors of overtreatment in “see and treat”approach using loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in women with high-grade squamousintraepithelial lesion (HSIL) on cervical cytology. The overtreatment was considered when LEEP specimenscontained no cervical pathology. Between January 2001 and April 2006, 446 women with HSIL on Pap smearunderwent colposcopy followed by LEEP at Chiang Mai University Hospital. Mean age of these patients was45.6 years with a range of 25-78 years. One hundred and twenty-one (27.1%) women were menopausal.Unsatisfactory colposcopy was observed in 357 (80.0%) women. Of 446 women, histologically-confirmed HSIL,invasive cancer, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and adenocarcinoma in situ were detected in 330(74.0%), 76 (17.0%), 9 (2.0%), and 5 (1.1%), respectively. The overtreatment rate on LEEP specimens wasnoted in 26 women or 5.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.8 to 8.4) of 446 women. By multivariate analysis,postmenopausal status was the only significant independent predictor of overtreatment with an adjusted oddsratio of 2.89 (95% CI = 1.30 to 6.43, P = 0.009). When postmenopausal women were excluded from analysis, theovertreatment rate was reduced to only 4.0%. In conclusion, “see and treat” approach appears to be anappropriate strategy in managing women with HSIL cytology. The overtreatment rate could be reduced whensuch policy is limited for premenopausal women.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007206208http://journal.waocp.org/article_24055_acd68b0ec8c7033714e09277416de93c.pdfEthnic Differences in Survival for Female Cancers of the Breast, Cervix and Colorectum in British Columbia , Canadatextarticle2007engBackground: Chinese and South Asians are among the fastest growing minority populations in Canada;however little is known about the burden of cancer in these populations. Objective:The objective is to examinesurvival rates for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers in women within these two ethnic populations, ascompared to the BC general population. Methods: Survival rates were calculated for three time periods in theChinese, South Asian and BC general populations, using the BC cancer registry. Ethnicity within the registrywas determined using surnames. Results: Survival rates for female breast, cervical and colorectal cancers haveimproved over time in all three population groups, however general differences were found among the groups.Chinese women had higher survival rates than both South Asians and all BC women for breast and cervicalcancer, and intermediate survival rates between South Asians and all BC women for colorectal cancer. SouthAsian women had the highest survival rates for colorectal cancer, similar survival rates to all BC women forbreast cancer, and lower survival rates for cervical cancer. Interpretation: Differences in the observed survivalrates may be explained by variations in screening and early detection, treatment practices, and cancer biology.This is discussed more fully for each cancer site.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007209214http://journal.waocp.org/article_24056_a055c1bfbba2bcde9c09c269dbbb6e91.pdfPatho-epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Karachi ‘1995-1997'textarticle2007engObjective: Provide an overview of the demographics and pathology of breast cancer in the female populationof Karachi South during a 3 year period, 1995-1997. Methods: Epidemiological data for 709 incident breastcancer cases, ICD-10 category C50 registered at Karachi Cancer Registry during 1st January 1995 to 31stDecember 1997 were reviewed. Results: Breast cancer accounted for approximately one-third of the cancers infemales. The age standardized incidence rate (ASR) world per 100,000 was 53.8, the crude incidence rate was30.9. In KS 60% of the newly diagnosed breast cancers were observed in women below 50 years. The agespecificcurves showed a gradual increase in risk from the third up till the seventh decade, followed by anactual/apparent decrease in risk. The socio-economic distribution was 24.9% in category I the financially deprivedclass, 38.9% in category II the middle class and 35.9% in category III, the affluent class. Microscopic confirmationof malignancies was 99%. Invasive breast cancers predominated with 99.4%, with in-situ cancers contributingto 0.6% of the malignancies. The morphology of cancers was tilted towards duct cell carcinoma (DCC), pureDCC (92%), combinations of DCC /Paget’s disease (0.6%) and lobular carcinoma (0.4%). Approximately 45%of duct cell carcinoma were seen in the premenopausal age group (<45 years). All bilateral breast cancers wereduct cell carcinoma with a family history of first degree relative with breast cancer. The majority of the casespresented as moderately differentiated or grade 2 lesions (59.0%). Approximately 56% cancers had spread tothe regional lymph nodes and 8.3% to a distant site at the time of diagnosis. A family history of first degreerelative with breast cancer was present in 3% and second degree relatives in 7% of the cases. Odds ratio (OR)for 680 breast cancer cases with complete demographic information was calculated with 675 gender matchedcontrols. A slightly higher risk was observed in non-Muslims and migrant ethnicities: two to three fold elevationin the Indian migrants (Gujrati speaking Mohajirs OR 3.86 (95% CI 2.51; 5.92) Urdu speaking Mohajirs OR2.85 (95% CI 2.05; 3.96), Memon Mohajirs OR 2.21 (95% CI 1.48; 3.29) and Afghan migrants [OR 2.99 (95%CI 11.20; 7.44)]. The risk was also high in the females of Punjabi ethnicity settled in KS [OR 2.73 (95% CI 1.87;3.99)]. The risk seems much less for the ethnicities belonging to North Western Pakistan i.e. Pathans [OR 1.684(95% CI 0.89; 3.17)] and Baluchs [OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.58; 1.39)]. A marginally higher risk was observed in thehigher socio-economic categories.The risk of developing breast cancer increased gradually for each age categoryfrom illiterate [OR 1.2 (95% CI 0.94; 1.55)] to college graduates [OR 13.12 (95% CI 7.31; 23.73)]. Conclusions:The incidence of breast cancer in Karachi South (KS) for the period 1995-1997 was the third highest in Asia.The hallmarks were a high reproductive age malignancy involving a higher socio-economic class, an invasiveduct cell carcinoma diagnosed at an advanced stage, in younger more educated females and a low in-situmalignancy. More studies are required to obtain a deeper insight into this breast cancer epidemic in Karachi.Implementation of breast cancer screening with stress on public health education is today a major responsibilityof the government.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

2007221224http://journal.waocp.org/article_24589_2801f0becf16ab12173f1e75d570971e.pdfFactors Affecting Residual Lesion in Women with Cervical Adenocarcinoma In Situ after Cone Excisional Biopsytextarticle2007engThe objective of this study was undertaken to evaluate the factors affecting residual lesion in women withadenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) on cervical conization specimens. The medical records of women with AIS whohad no associated invasive carcinoma after cervical conization and underwent subsequent hysterectomy atChiang Mai University Hospital were reviewed. During March 1998 and March 2006, 45 women were includedfor analysis. The mean age was 45.2 years (range, 30-66 years). Thirteen (28.9%) women presented with AIS onPap smear. Thirty (66.7%) underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure and the remaining 15 (33.3%)underwent cold-knife conization. Twenty (44.4%) women had mixed lesions of AIS and squamous intraepitheliallesion on cervical specimens. Surgical cone margins were clear in 25 (55.6%) women. Eighteen (40%) and two(4.4%) women had involved and non-evaluable cone margins, respectively. Residual lesion was noted in 14(31.1%) hysterectomy specimens. There was no residual lesion in women with clear cone margins while 72%and 50% of women with involved and non-evaluable cone margins, had residual lesion, respectively. Thesedifferences were statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant association between the ECC results and theresidual lesion was noted (P=0.29). In conclusion, approximately one-third of women with AIS on cervicalconization have residual lesion on subsequent hysterectomy specimens. Only cone margin status is a significantpredictor for residual lesion.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007225228http://journal.waocp.org/article_24590_72d5dd3db2f94a2983b98ee7f8d6726a.pdfUtility of Urinary Biomarkers in Oral Cancertextarticle2007engObjective: Oral cancer is the leading malignancy in India, with tobacco playing a major role in the etiology.The aim of the present study was to quantify nitrate+nitrite (NO2+NO3) in tobacco products as well as to studytobacco exposure related biomarkers in controls, patients with oral precancers (OPC) and oral cancer patients.Materials & Methods: Healthy individuals (n=90) were grouped into without habit of tobacco (NHT, n=30) andhealthy individuals with habit of tobacco (WHT, n=60). Oral cancer patients with a tobacco habit were classifiedinto abstinence (n=62) and non-abstinence (n=64) groups according to status at the study time. Urinary nicotineand cotinine levels were analyzed by modified high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a UV detector.Levels of NO2+NO3 in tobacco and urine, and urinary thioether levels were estimated by spectrophotometry.Results: NO2+NO3 levels in different types of tobacco product ranged between 0.13 to 3.39 mg/g. The OddsRatio (OR) analysis indicated positive associations of both smoking and chewing habits of tobacco with highrisk of development of oral cancer. Urinary nicotine, cotinine and NO2+NO3 levels were significantly elevatedin WHT, patients with OPC and oral cancer patients as compared with the NHT group. This was also the casefor urinary thioether levels. Levels of urinary nicotine and cotinine were also higher in the non-abstinencegroup with oral cancers. Conclusion: The results confirmed that tobacco chewing and smoking habits areprominent risk factors for development of oral cancer in the western part of India (Gujarat). Urinary nicotine,cotinine, NO2+NO3 and thioether levels can be helpful for screening programs for oral cancerAsian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007229235http://journal.waocp.org/article_24591_2f0d34f1c46037cd78ad8469f16b1563.pdfDoes Solar Ultraviolet Irradiation affect Cancer Mortality Rates in China ?textarticle2007engSolar ultraviolet B (UVB) has been found to correlate with reduced risk for 14 types of cancer in three ormore observational studies and another 14 in one-to-two observational studies. The beneficial role of UVB isthought to be mediated through vitamin D production. Few such studies have been conducted in SoutheastAsia. Data on cancer mortality rates for 65 counties in China in 1978 and approximately 300 geographic,dietary, serum, occupation, and lifestyle factors from 1983–4 are available in Diet, Life-style and Mortality inChina (Chen et al., Oxford University Press, 1990). The data for 39 counties away from the east coast of Chinawere here used in multiple linear regression analyses. The indices of solar UV radiation (UVR), latitude andheat index, were correlated with reduced mortality rates for cervical, colorectal (females), esophageal, gastric,and lung (males) cancer. Latitude was inversely correlated with liver cancer (males) and nasopharyngealcarcinoma (NPC). Lung cancer, the index used for smoking, was correlated with all less lung (males), cervical,liver (males), and NPC. Several other factors were also correlated with some of the cancers. However, no otherfactors could explain the latitudinal variation for these seven cancers. Thus, it is concluded that solar UVB,through production of vitamin D, reduces the risk of some types of cancer in China. Liver cancer and NPC arelinked to viruses, and UVR may increase the risk through immunosuppression. Further studies are warranted.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007236242http://journal.waocp.org/article_24592_aa18eb7bd9c90a36151ae15c90d0a176.pdfReassessment of Risk Factors for Oral Cancertextarticle2007engA total of 140 cases of histologically confirmed oral cancer were evaluated for their demographic details,dietary habits and addiction to tobacco and alcohol using a pre-designed structured questionnaire at the MahatmaGandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, in Central India. These cases were matched with three sets ofage and sex matched controls. Oral cancer was predominant in the age group of 50-59 years. Individuals on anon-vegetarian diet appeared to be at greater risk of developing oral cancer. Cases were habituated to consuminghot beverages more frequently and milk less frequently than controls. Consumption of ghutka, a granular formof chewable tobacco and areca nut, was significantly associated with oral cancer cases. Cases had been usingoral tobacco for longer duration than controls, and were habituated to sleeping with tobacco quid in theirmouth. Most cases were also addicted to smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption. Bidi (a crude cigarette)smoking was most commonly associated with oral cancer. On stratified analysis, a combination of regular smokingand oral tobacco use, as well as a combination of regular alcohol intake and oral tobacco use were significantlyassociated with oral cancer cases. Synergistic effects of all three or even two of the risk factors - oral tobacco use,smoking and alcohol consumption- was more commonly seen in cases when compared to controls.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007243248http://journal.waocp.org/article_24593_92e2faa5199cd85f38a150ff291d0a3f.pdfRenal Involvement in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: The Shaukat Khanum Experiencetextarticle2007engBackground: Primary lymphoma of genitourinary system is rare as these organs do not contain lymphoidtissue, however secondary involvement often occurs. The most commonly affected genitourinary organ is thekidney. Methods: Medical records of 901 patients with documented NHL seen at Shaukat Khanum MemorialCancer Hospital & Research Center during 1995-2003 were studied for the incidence, histopathological, clinicaland radiological correlation of renal involvement in NHL. Results: 19(2.1%) patients had renal involvement.Male to female ratio was 3.75:1. Histology was diffuse large cell lymphoma in 12(63%) patients. IPI was High,High intermediate and Low intermediate in 17(89.5%) patients. Radiologically, 5(26.5%) patients had the diseaseabove the diaphragm, 2(10.5%) patients had disease below the diaphragm while 12(63%) had disease on bothsides of the diaphragm. 11(58%) showed complete response, 1(5.5%) showed partial response while 7(36.8%)showed progressive disease. Conclusion: Majority of patients with renal involvement had low intermediate orhigher IPI compatible with significant progression rate. The findings and disease behavior in our population iscomparable to those quoted in English literature. Radiological tools have made it easier to monitor diseaseresponse and renal biopsy is seldom required.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007249252http://journal.waocp.org/article_24594_bc6fcdfb5acc5d301852ca99ef484427.pdfRole of GSTM1 (Null/Present), GSTP1 (Ile105Val) and P53 (Arg72Pro) Genetic Polymorphisms and the Risk of Breast Cancer - A Case Control Study from South Indiatextarticle2007engThe present study was undertaken to examine the frequencies of GSTM1 (Null/Present), GSTP1 (Ile105Val)and p53 (Arg72Pro) genotypes and their relations to breast cancer susceptibility in South Indian women. Thiscase - control study involved 250 consecutive breast cancer cases and 500 healthy controls matched in five-yearage categories in the ratio of 1:2. Genotyping was performed by PCR for GSTM1, Real-Time Allelic discriminationassay for GSTP1 and PCR-CTPP for p53. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculatedusing conditional logistic regression after adjusting for the known risk factors for breast cancer. The frequenciesfor the GSTM1 Null genotype were 26% in the cases and 22% in the controls; for GSTP1 Ile/Ile, Ile/Val, Val/Valthe frequencies were 46.6%, 41.9% and 11.5%, respectively, in cases and 46.0%, 43.8% and 10.2% in controls;for p53 Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro & Pro/Pro the frequencies were 26.4%, 50.0% and 23.6% in cases and 27.0%, 44.8%and 28.2% in controls. A nonsignificant elevation in breast cancer risk was observed among women who had theGSTM1 Null genotype (OR=1.24; 95% CI=0.83-1.84), the p53 Arg/Arg genotype (OR=1.28; 95% CI=0.81-2.03)and the Pro/Arg genotype (OR=1.49; 95% CI=0.99-2.25), and the GSTP1 Val/Val genotype (OR=1.1; 95%CI=0.64-1.91).Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007253257http://journal.waocp.org/article_24595_92ee461abd5c5357015e1f2491fb0f23.pdfAttitudes of Japanese Primary Care Physicians toward Publicly Endorsed Periodic Health Examinations: a Cross Sectional Surveytextarticle2007engBackground: Despite the lack of evidence for efficacy, an annual health examination has been advocated forthe general population by the Japanese government. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand theattitudes of Japanese physicians toward the annual examinations. Methods: In October 2003, a questionnairewas mailed to 1971 physicians registered with Aichi Prefecture Medical Association as internists. The surveywas designed to determine their opinions about the effectiveness of the periodic health examination and each ofits components. Results: The response rate was 37%. Eighty-five percent believed that a periodic healthexamination was effective. Nearly 80% believed that height and weight should be measured, and more than90% supported blood pressure measurements. Nearly 70% supported a physical examination of chest andabdomen. About half believed that vision and hearing tests should be performed for all ages. More than 90%considered performing a variety of laboratory tests valuable. Three-quarters supported hepatitis B surfaceantigen and hepatitis C antibody determinations. Seventy to eighty percent valued the screening tests for lung,stomach, colon, breast and cervical cancer. Conclusions: Most Japanese primary care physicians believe that acomprehensive annual health examination as currently endorsed by public health authorities is effective.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007258262http://journal.waocp.org/article_24596_0cd98482d2b08772134b8855fd00f7f8.pdfInfluence of Regular Black Tea Consumption on Tobacco Associated DNA Damage and HPV Prevalence in Human Oral Mucosatextarticle2007engBlack tea is more widely consumed than green tea worldwide, particularly in India. Therefore, it is necessaryto focus attention on black tea with respect to its health promoting and anti-cancer actions. In order to establishthe concept that black tea is a potential candidate for cancer prevention, it is important to provide epidemiologicalevidence derived from investigations of human populations. In view of this, the objective of the present studywas to determine the correlation between nature of black tea consumption and DNA damage in normal subjectswith or without tobacco habit and oral cancer patients, taking the latter as positive controls. Much experimentalevidence points to associations between tobacco habit and HPV 16 and HPV 18 (Human Papilloma virus) infection.But no studies have taken into account the possible confounding effect of black tea consumption on DNA damagealong with HPV infection. A pilot study was therefore undertaken. Comet assay was used to evaluate the DNAdamage among normal subjects including tobacco users (n = 86), non-tobacco users (n = 45) and Oral cancerpatients (n = 37). Percentage of damaged cells was scored in the buccal squamous cells of all subjects mentionedabove. HPV analysis was performed on 79 samples (including 37 oral cancer patients). The evaluation of variousconfounding factors like age, tenure of tobacco habit and tea habit showed significant associations with DNAdamage. The observations strongly indicate that regular intake of black tea at least above four cups can reducetobacco associated DNA damage among normal tobacco users. HPV prevalence was not seen to be associatedwith age, tenure of tobacco habit or the tea drinking habit.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007263266http://journal.waocp.org/article_24597_357960535231d64d30f0c32b46c48edd.pdfIntestinal Phenotypes of Stomach Cancers Arising after Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Carcinogen-treated Mongolian Gerbilstextarticle2007engAims: We have previously demonstrated the importance of gastric and intestinal phenotypic expression forthe histogenesis of stomach cancer. However, the phenotypes of stomach cancers arising after Helicobacterpylori (Hp) eradication have hitherto remained unclear. We therefore examined a series of lesions occurringafter Hp eradication in the Mongolian gerbil (MG) model. Methods: Totals of 6 and 20 advanced glandularstomach cancers were evaluated in Hp–eradicated and Hp–infected MGs treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea(MNU-MGs), using several gastrointestinal epithelial phenotypic markers. The lesions were dividedphenotypically into gastric (G type), gastric-and-intestinal mixed (GI type), intestinal (I type), and null (N type)phenotypes.Results: All 4 differentiated type lesions in Hp-eradicated MNU-MGs were classified as G type,while both of the undifferentiated lesions exhibit the GI type. In Hp-infected MNU-MGs, the lesions wereclassified as 10 G, 8 GI, and 2 I types, with undifferentiated type lesions having more intestinal phenotypicexpression than their differentiated counterparts (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our data suggest that the differentiatedstomach cancers exhibit the G type in Hp-eradicated MNU-MGs, suggesting that a kind of non-neoplastic Gtype gland may be precancerous. Intestinalization may still occur, especially in undifferentiated stomach cancers,even if Hp eradication is successful.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007267271http://journal.waocp.org/article_24598_ce9ce2efb0878d2fa63e4edb9e9566c3.pdfSurvival from Hepatocellular Carcinoma at a Cancer Hospital in Pakistantextarticle2007engObjectives: To determine the tumour and general characteristics, especially survival, of patients presentingwith hepatocellular carcinoma at our tertiary care cancer hospital. Patients and methods: We retrospectivelystudied 584 charts of patients consecutively registered between 1995 and 2004 at the Shaukat Khanum MemorialCancer Hospital and Research Centre, in Lahore, Pakistan. Descriptive statistics were obtained for gender, age,tumour size and morphology, alpha fetoprotein level, means of diagnosis, Child-Pugh status, risk factors, treatmentgiven and follow-up. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Mean age atpresentation was 56 years. Four hundred and forty four (76%) were male. Average tumour diameter evaluablein 412 patients was 8 cm. HCC was unifocal in 194 (33%), multifocal in 303 (52%) and unevaluable in 106.Mean AFP was 4,198 u/ml (range 1 - 278,560). Methods of diagnosis were FNA in 71, biopsy in 26, imaging/AFP> 200 in 70, lipiodol angiogram in 42, combinations of two of these in 365 and biphasic CT scans in 10. InitialChild-Pugh available for 400/584 was A in 216, B in 147 and C in 37. Evidence of prior hepatitis B infection wasfound in 114, and for hepatitis C in 254. Other than the four patients who had TACE followed by surgicalresection, treatment was offered to 79/584 patients: among the 48 who had TACE, 26 experienced cancerprogression whereas 11 had stable disease ranging from 6 - 20 months; another 11 were lost to follow-up. Of the14 patients who underwent local resection, 2 were lost to follow-up, 7 developed recurrences but 5 remaineddisease free for a mean of 33 months. Following ethanol ablation in 17 patients, disease progressed in 5 butremained stable in 2 for a mean of 13 months; 10 were lost to follow-up. At the time of writing, 56 patients arealive (mean follow-up 20 months), 210 are known to have died (mean follow-up 9 months), and 318 were lost tofollow-up within 3 months. Median overall survival was 10.5 months, death being the point of interest forsurvival analysis. Child-Pugh class stratified analysis (400/584) revealed median survival of 12 months for classA, 7.7 months for class B and 4 months for class C (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Most patients present with large,multifocal tumours, with poor liver function. Sixty one percent had evidence of prior infection with hepatitis Bor C. The advanced stage at presentation, poor background liver function in many and the absence of a nationalliver transplantation program limit treatment options. Only 14% of patients were considered suitable for definitivetreatment. Survival correlated with Child-Pugh status at presentation. Overall prognosis remains bleak. Thereis an urgent need to educate the public about the risks of hepatitis B and C and health professionals about earlydiagnosis and treatment, including possible development of a sustainable national liver transplant program.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007272274http://journal.waocp.org/article_24599_c3428f0f208e731aaebd216d0c5d6039.pdfRole of an Androgen Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Development of Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer in an Indian Populationtextarticle2007engBackground: Androgen receptors play critical roles in the development of primary as well as advancedhormone-refractory prostate cancers. Since the growth of prostate cancer is androgen-sensitive, metastatic diseasehas been treated by hormonal therapy in the form of androgen ablation. Prostate cancer cells rely on androgenreceptor (AR) for proliferation and survival. Aim: To evaluate the prognostic significance of androgen receptorpolymorphism in patients under hormonal therapy in any form. Methods: Complete follow up data were availablefor 87 patients out of 130 patients enrolled for study. DNA was extracted from blood samples using salting outmethod and then subjected to PCR Genscan for CAG and GGN genotyping. The mean follow up was 10.12±8.83months. Results: Out of 87 patients, 64 experienced clinical as well as biochemical recurrence. The overallhormone refractory rates were 73.4% after one year. We observed a significant shorter median CAG repeats inHRPC patients (20 vs 22). The hazard ratio for HRPCs with the ≤20 CAG repeat genotype was 0.602 (0.33-1.08,p=0.09). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that HRPC rates were not significantly associated with CAG repeat(p=0.06) but a trend was observed with short CAG repeats. No significant association was observed with ARGGNrepeats. Conclusions: A trend for association of AR-CAG repeats with HRPC patients in north Indianpopulation was observed, suggesting this to be a prognostic factor for determining the therapeutic regimen.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007275278http://journal.waocp.org/article_24600_0a928a0469f93d7f61ec3aed81cfd253.pdfEvaluation of Primers and PCR Performance on HPV DNA Screening in Normal and Low Grade Abnormal Cervical Cellstextarticle2007engHigh risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) are associated with increased risk of normal cervical cellsdeveloping to dysplasia and cervical carcinoma. Therefore, HR-HPV DNA testing can predict an endpoint ofcervical carcinogenesis that is earlier than the development of cervical abnormalities. Not only the sensitivity ofmethods but also the amount of HPV DNA are very important and might be parameters to distinguish HPVdetection. In this study, we evaluated the effects of primer sets and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)performance with low viral load samples with normal cervical cytology (140 samples) and mild dysplasia (140samples) using two consensus primers MY09/MY11 and GP5+/6+. The PCR was performed with single andnested PCR. Positive samples with both primer sets were then HPV genotyped by dot blot hybridization. Resultsshowed higher sensitivity of single PCR using primer GP5+/GP6+ than primer MY09/MY11. HPV DNA wasdetected in 15% (21 of 140)and 20.7% (29 of 140) of normal cervical samples, respectively. For mild dysplasiasamples, HPV DNA was detected in 37.1% (52 of 140) with MY09/MY11 and 50% (70 of 140) using GP5+/GP6+. In normal cervical samples, the positivity rate was increased to 38.5% (54 of 140) by nested PCR usingprimer GP5+/6+, but only 2 mild dysplasia samples that were negative by single GP5+/6+ were positive by autonestedPCR. These results suggested that, in low viral load samples, the sensitivity of HPV DNA detectiondepends not only on primer sets but also PCR performance. HPV 16 was the most common in mild dysplasiasamples (20.8%), whereas HPV type 58 was found in 11.1%. This study suggested that nested PCR might benecessary for HPV DNA detection in cervical samples of women participating in cervical cancer screening.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007279282http://journal.waocp.org/article_24601_85ad3ef98949b50dfdb37c96269e812d.pdfXRCC1 and XPD Gene Polymorphisms in a South Indian Populationtextarticle2007engDNA repair systems play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the human genome. Deficiency inthe repair capacity due to either mutations or inherited polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may contribute tovariations in the DNA repair capacity and subsequently susceptibility to cancer. The interindividual variabilityas well as ethnic differences in DNA repair polymorphisms, stress the importance to establish genotype profilesunique to a population. Hence the present study aimed to determine the frequencies of XRCC1 and XPD genepolymorphisms in 255 healthy random unrelated individuals from South India. DNA was isolated from theperipheral blood sample of these individuals and the XRCC1 and XPD genotypes were determined by PCRRFLPwith Msp1 and Pst1 enzymes respectively. The XRCC1 genotype frequencies revealed 36% Arg/Arg,47% Arg/Gln and 17% Gln/Gln with Gln allele frequency of 0.41. Analysis of XPD genotypes revealed 51% Lys/Lys, 41% Lys/Gln and 8% Gln/Gln with Gln allele frequency of 0.29. No significant difference in the distributionof genotypes was seen based on gender. Comparison of the frequencies of XRCC1 and XPD polymorphismsobserved in the present study with other populations revealed a distinctive nature of the South Indian population.An understanding of DNA repair gene polymorphisms might not only enable risk assessment of humans exposedto environmental carcinogens but also response to therapy, which target the DNA repair pathway.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007283286http://journal.waocp.org/article_24602_cad78290e6a6c48cf3e30d8a2124b502.pdfEffectiveness of Cervical Cancer Screening among Chinese Women in North Americatextarticle2007engBackground. Chinese North American women have high invasive cervical cancer rates and low screeningrates. The cost-effectiveness of strategies to improve Pap testing rates for Chinese women living in Seattle,Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia was examined. Objectives. To calculate the costs and costeffectivenessof implementing two strategies to motivate women to obtain a Pap smear. Research Design. Athree-armed randomized, controlled trial was conducted. Women in each of two interventions (high-intensityoutreach and low-intensity mailing intervention) were compared to a group of women who received usual care.Measures. Costs were captured via a group discussion of costs, accounting records, sampling of staff time logs,and estimation of costs and task times. Effectiveness was measured as the proportion of women in eachintervention arm who reported receiving a Pap smear since the trial began. Cost-effectiveness was calculated asthe incremental cost of screening each additional woman between an intervention arm and the control arm.Results. A greater percentage of women who received the outreach intervention had a Pap test than women whoreceived mailed materials or women who were in the usual care arm. The intent-to-treat cost for each additionalwoman to be screened for a Pap test was $ 415 in the Outreach arm and $ 676 for the Direct Mailing arm. Theoutreach worker intervention, though more expensive overall, was more cost-effective than the mailingintervention. Conclusions. Outreach intervention is cost-effective for sponsors and should be considered as astrategy to motivate Chinese women living in North America to seek cervical cancer screening.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007287293http://journal.waocp.org/article_24603_3f09339d35042ec93c7ff6b132be57df.pdfGlutathione S-Transferase P1 Genotypes, Genetic Susceptibility and Outcome of Therapy in Thai Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemiatextarticle2007engGlutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes that involved in bio- transformation by conjugation ofelectrophillic compounds to glutathione. Polymorphisms within genes that encode GSTs may affect the functionof the enzymes. Polymorphisms of GSTP1 at codon 105 residue forms GSTP1 active site for binding of hydrophobicelectrophiles, and the Ile-Val substitution affect substrate specific catalytic activity of this enzyme andmay associate with susceptibility to malignant human disease, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL),which is the most common leukemia in children younger than 15 years old.Genetic polymorphisms within theGSTP1 gene of childhood ALL patients were studied. In addition, the association of genetic polymorphism ofGSTP1 and genetic susceptibility of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was also determined using Chi-squareand Odds ratio. PCR-RFLP was used to study genetic polymorphism of GSTP1 in 100 ALL patients and 100healthy individuals.The results show that there is no statistically significant association between each genotypesand genetic susceptibility of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (OR=0.92, P –value=0.886). Moreover, thereis no statistically significant association between each genotypes and demographic data of acute lymphoblasticleukemia (ALL). However, there are 2 cases of ALL with BM relapse show the polymorphic genotypes of GSTP1.It may suggest that GSTP1*V105 may be involved in relapse of ALL.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007294295http://journal.waocp.org/article_24604_bc8afcf92d733868d0778c7939e9808e.pdfFactors Affecting Survival of Cervical Cancer Patients Treated at the Radiation Unit of Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailandtextarticle2007engThis retrospective longitudinal study aimed to evaluate factors for survival of cervical cancer patients treatedwith radiation therapy. Information was retrieved from the medical records of 1,180 cervical cancer patientsand pathologic material was reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of those treated with radiation therapy atSrinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1999. The patientswere followed up until December 31, 2004, with current vital status determined through the hospital-basedregistry, the population-based cancer registry of Khon Kaen Province, the civil registration database, the Ministryof Interior and by mail. Data were analysed with the Kaplan-Meier, Log-rank test and Cox proportion hazardmodels. The mortality rate was 70 per 1,000 person-years with an overall 5-year survival of 62.5%. Mediansurvival was >10 years. From multivariate analyses, the factors that statistically affected survival of cervicalcancer patients included stage (p-value<0.001), hemoglobin level (p-value<0.001), interval between externaland intracavitary radiation (p-value<0.001) and fractionation (p-value=0.024). Stage III was associated with a1.65-fold mortality risk compared with stage I (95% CI=1.05-2.59). Patients with a low hemoglobin level (≤ 10g./dl.) demonstrated a 1.85-fold mortality risk compared with patients a value >12 g./dl. (95% CI=1.40-2.44). Aninterval between external and intracavitary radiation >28 days was associated with 2.28-fold mortality riskcompared with a duration of <1 day (95% CI= 1.40-2.44). The fractionation 2 faction was associated with 0.25-fold mortality risk compared with 1 fraction (95% CI=0.07-0.96). Future prospective trials should be undertakento confirm the validity of these factors and to elucidate their therapeutic implications.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007297300http://journal.waocp.org/article_24605_05976511dc8fa573ac2ca16fd8170e38.pdfModulation of Metastatic Potential of B16F10 Melanoma Cells by Acivicin: Synergistic Action of Glutaminase and Potentiation of Cisplatin Cytotoxicitytextarticle2007engTreatment for metastatic melanoma has mostly been unsatisfactory despite advances in ongoing medicalresearch. Here we investigated the role of acivicin, a glutamine analogue, singly and in combination with eitherE. coli glutaminase or cisplatin, on the growth, angiogenic activity and invasiveness of B16F10 cells in vitro andafter allografting in C57BL/6 mice. B16F10 melanoma colonization in the lungs of mice was measured bymonitoring colony counts. Host toxicity was assessed with reference to tumor bearing host’s weight andsurvivability. Acivicin promoted melanoma dormancy and reduced melanoma associated angiogenic factorslike VEGF level and vessel diameter. Acivicin in combination with glutaminase significantly suppressed tumorgrowth by 66.7% and increased life-span by 43.5% without host toxicity. Tumor VEGF content was significantlylowered by combination therapy as assessed by ELISA. Accelerated cytotoxicity, reduced invasion and enhancedapoptosis of melanoma cells were exhibited in vitro by combined than by single agent treatment. Moreover,invasion of melanoma cells through matrigel chambers was reduced in the presence of acivicin and glutaminasein combination. These findings support future studies of acivicin in combination with other anticancer agentsfor prevention of melanoma metastasis.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

2007307309http://journal.waocp.org/article_24607_6a3612170695563140d806b3aab7dfd8.pdfWhen should MRI be Recommended for the Accurate Clinical Staging of Base of Tongue Carcinoma?textarticle2007engBackground and Purpose: According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) cancer stagingcriteria (6th edition), cross-sectional imaging for base of tongue carcinoma is recommended when the deeptissue extent of a primary tumor is in question. The aim of this study was to establish which group of patientsMRI might most benefit from accurate clinical staging of base of tongue carcinomas. Patients and Methods:The clinical stagings of 33 patients with pathologically proven squamous cell carcinomas of the base of tonguewere performed by two otorhinolaryngologic surgeons. Their results were compared with the results from MRIinterpreted by a neuroradiologist and the numbers of patients being upstaged, downstaged or with an unchangedstage were recorded and analyzed. Results: The tumor stages were changed in 13 of 33 patients (39.4%, 95%CI: 23.9-57.87%) and the overall stage groupings were changed in 10 (30.3 %, 95%CI: 15.6-48.7%) afterperforming MRI. Mis-staging by clinical examination in the overall stage grouping was as high as 83.3% (95%CI:35.9-99.6%) in stages II and III and 85.7% (95% CI: 42.1-99.6%) in T3. Conclusion: MRI should be recommendedin base of tongue carcinoma whenever clinical examination suggests overall stage groupings II, III or tumorstage T3.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007310314http://journal.waocp.org/article_24608_cfcb59af72ebe473d5f72247f0f10fe4.pdfIntramolecular Antigenicity of MUC1, a Candidate for Cancer Vaccinestextarticle2007engCancer is a big public health problem as well as a medical challenge. The tumor-associated carbohydrateantigens and glycopeptide antigens derived from, for example, the MUC1 mucin glycoprotein or tumor mucinantigen, are attractive targets for the immunotherapy of cancer, owing to their expre ssion by malignant cells.MUC1 glycoprotein is present in endometriotic lesions and overexpressed in many cancers and the MUC1immune response is known to provide a protective host defense mechanism against cancer. In this work, theauthor studied the antigenicity pattern within the MUC1 molecule by an advanced bioinformatics method. Itcan be seen that the amino acid in the middle portion of the sequence pose high antigenicity. This part could beselected for further vaccine development.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688

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2007315316http://journal.waocp.org/article_24609_48ed5605980b9f8a41a128f8d8a7abc8.pdfThe Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort Study (J-MICC Study) to Detect Gene-environment Interactions for Cancertextarticle2007engThe Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort Study (J-MICC Study) launched in 2005, supported bya research grant for Scientific Research on Special Priority Areas of Cancer from the Japanese Ministry ofEducation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Although the main purpose is to confirm and detectgene-environment interactions of lifestyle-related diseases, mainly of cancer, through the cohort analyses, itincludes cross-sectional analyses on lifestyle factors, biomarkers, and genotypes, as well as confirmation/screening of new biomarkers usable for early diagnosis of cancer. The endpoints are cancer diagnosis and death.The participants diagnosed as cancer will be identified through population-based cancer registries, hospitalcancer registries, mail questionnaires, questionnaires at repeated visits, death certificates, health insurance data,and second survey questionnaires. Subjects are individuals aged 35 to 69 years enrolled from respondents tostudy announcements in specified areas, inhabitants attending health checkup examinations by localgovernments, visitors at health checkup centers, and patients at a cancer hospital. The number of subjects wasset to be 100,000 throughout Japan. The enrollment period is from April 2005 to March 2010. The second surveyis scheduled 5 years after their enrollment. The participants will be followed until 2025. The J-MICC CentralOffice is placed at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine. Ten participating research groups (CohortStudy Executing Groups) send baseline data and blood samples (buffy coat, serum, and plasma) anonymizedwith an identification number (J-MICC ID) to the Central Office. The data of second survey and follow-up willbe linked using J-MICC ID. This study is expected to produce many findings on lifestyle and genetic traitsassociated with lifestyle-related diseases including cancer among Japanese.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer PreventionWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP)1513-73688